Male Hair Loss

Male Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness

In men, the most common form of hair loss is androgenic alopecia. It is also called as male pattern baldness (MPB). This form of hair loss affects up to 70% of men at some stage in their lifetime. In some men, male pattern baldness can begin in their late teens or early twenties.

Men with a family history of hair loss are more likely to get affected with male pattern baldness. When young ones reach puberty, testosterone levels increase, including a testosterone derivative called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There are men who are genetically susceptible to be more sensitive to this testosterone derivative. As a result, the growth phase of the follicle lifecycle (anagebecomes shorter and shorter, and the resting phase (telogebecomes longer. Due to this, the follicles shrink and the hair becomes thinner and eventually unable to grow at all. This is known as follicular miniaturization.

There are instances when the miniaturized hair follicles remain alive for some years, which means that non-surgical treatments can slow or even reverse the effects of hair loss if applied in early stage. However, once the follicles become inactive, it is not possible to regrow the hair. To get the natural looking hair regrow, advanced surgical techniques like FUE will be required.

The Norwood Scale of male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness is predictable in many ways. Hair at the sides and back of the scalp (the ‘safe donor zone’) usually continues growing for life, while hair loss almost unvaryingly begins at the temples and then at the crown, leaving a ‘halo’ of hair, which ultimately regresses until there is full baldness on the top and front of the head.

Dr. O’Tar Norwood developed the Norwood Scale to find out how much baldness is advanced over the period. Although the pattern is anticipated, the rate at which different men lose their hair varies immensely. Some men may get to stage II or III in their twenties and then remain more or less at that level for decades, while others may show no visible hair loss until middle age and then swiftly progress to stage VI or VII.

Stages of Male Pattern Baldness

Male Pattern Baldness Treatment

Male Pattern Baldness is a common condition, however; mental concerns due to hair loss can be serious. At times, it can affect men’s confidence, self-esteem and even their relationships and careers.

The quest of finding an affordable and effective treatment for male pattern baldness is seen in most of the people. There are medication and surgical techniques that can assure that the problem can be successfully handled. When it comes to non-surgical treatments, it can help to have a natural-looking dense hair growth for many years. On the other hand, surgical procedures can provide permanent solutions to any type or stage of baldness in men.

The earliest stage of male pattern baldness that tends to be suitable for treatment is stage III on the Norwood Scale, when there is noticeable loss at the temples. However, modern techniques such as those practiced at the Dr. Kalia’s Cosmetic Surgery Clinic can yield great results even when the hair loss is moved to an advanced stage.

The suitable candidates for hair transplant surgery are those who have controlled hair loss by using medication such as finasteride or minoxidil. Without this, it can be difficult to restore the increasing areas of baldness with the limited donor hair supply.

Still, the need of any treatment for male pattern baldness can only be justified after a thorough assessment at the clinic. All you need to do is to book an appointment and get it done.